DISCLAIMER: I do not own any locations, characters, or names associated with Final Fantasy X or Final Fantasy X-2. I do, however, own this story J
Author's Notes: Thank you so much for the reviews I have received so far. I really like knowing that people are reading and enjoying this story as much as I like writing it. Below is chapter 3. Leave a review and let me know what you think J
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SILVER WINGS
by akksgurl
Chapter Three: Together Forever
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"Where are they?" shouted Yunalesca as she stomped her foot and turned to Lenne, "They're late!" The two women were standing in the lobby of an expensive restaurant that they had rented out for the rehearsal dinner. The staff and other wedding party members were anxious to get the rehearsal and dinner started but were forced to wait for the groom and his best man.
Yunalesca was ready to kill them both.
Lenne laughed and tossed her brown hair over her shoulder, "Didn't Zaon's friend have some game to play?"
Yunalesca nodded, "True," she said, "but it's been over for at least an hour. Plus Zaon promised me that he'd get Shuyin here this time." She turned and looked out the window with a scowl, "He's missed every other wedding planning session and now he's on the verge of missing the rehearsal dinner. He is positively the worst choice Zaon could have made for best man." The bride smiled as she looked at her friend, "I suppose the only good thing is that you haven't had to deal with the conceited, self-centered little jerk."
"Who are you talking about?" Lenne asked with a laugh, "Shuyin or Zaon?"
As if on cue, Zaon burst through the door with an apologetic look in his eyes. Yunalesca put her hands on her hips in a furious sweep and glared at him, "And just where in Spira have you been?" she demanded as she glanced behind him to the empty doorway, "And where is Shuyin!"
"Well," started Zaon as he shut the door quietly behind him. He guided his fiancée and her Maid of Honor over to a corner and continued, "He's not coming."
"HE'S NOT COMING!!!!!" shrieked Yunalesca. Her eyes flashing with rage. Lenne took the initiative to hold her friend back for fear that she would do irreparable harm to her fiancée. After Yunalesca calmed down, she took a deep breath and asked, "Why not?"
Zaon touched her hair gently and flinched slightly as she pulled away. It was obvious that, no matter how well she was hiding it, she was furious at Shuyin and at him for not delivering on his promise. He gave her an apologetic smile, "The game was going into overtime. He ran out sopping wet and told me to go on ahead because he wasn't sure when he'd be able to leave."
"You mean to tell me," Yunalesca hissed in a whisper so vicious that it sent chills up Lenne's spine, "that a blitzball game is more important than his best friend's wedding rehearsal?" she threw her arms in the air and her voice got louder, "Well, he has practice tomorrow. Is he even going to get to the wedding?" she glared at Zaon, "I swear a fiend would have been a better choice for best man. At least a fiend would have the decency to show up!"
"Yuna, he swore to me that he'd be here tomorrow. Besides, it's not that complicated. When the preacher says my name, he gives me your ring. He knows what he's got to do."
Yunalesca rolled her eyes, "Oh, he swore to you." She hissed sarcastically, "Well that makes me feel so much better. We all know how much his promises mean to him. I mean, he promised to be at my party when I became a summoner, but he had practice."
Zaon shook his head, "Yuna that was 2 years ago…"
His bride continued as if she didn't hear her fiancée, "And he promised to come to your parents 50th anniversary party last year, but he had a hangover from partying all night with some girl who he doesn't even remember. And he promised to come by the day after the engagement to meet Lenne, but he had a game." Yunalesca shook her head. Dissappointment was showing in her eyes now – having replaced the anger. She bit her lip softly and said, "He's a nice guy, Zaon. He's a really nice guy, but he's a lousy friend."
Lenne opened her mouth to speak but was quieted by Zaon's sudden show of anger. The blue haired man frowned at his fiancée and spoke in a hushed tone, "He is my best friend. He happens to care a lot about his career which just happens to be blitzball. So damn it all if he doesn't show up to a few things over the years. The important thing is that he's there for me when it counts and he will be here tomorrow. You can bet your aeons on that one, m'lady."
Silence seemed to take over the room. The argument had echoed its way to the guests in the dining room and all conversation stopped. Lenne suddenly felt very uncomfortable and took a few steps back to give her friends some space. From the look on Yunalesca's face, it was obvious to Lenne that she regretted what she had said to Zaon and vice versa but neither seemed willing to take the first step and apologize. Lenne took a breath and stepped closer to them again, putting a hand on one shoulder of each of them, "You guys need to just kiss and make up. Don't let what one blitzball player does or doesn't do cause you guys to argue right before the most important day of your lives."
Zaon smiled and looked at Yunalesca, "She's right. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too."
Lenne smiled and turned to the guests, "Everything is okay now. So, with or without a best man, let's get this party started!"
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Zaon took a deep breath as he pulled his white jacket onto his broad shoulders and smiled at Shuyin who was standing next to him with a look of sheer terror in his bright blue eyes. Zaon would have laughed had it not been for the knowledge that his eyes probably showed that same look of fear.
"Good luck, Zaon." Shuyin said as he slapped Zaon on the back good naturedly.
Zaon smiled, "Thanks, Shu. And thanks for being my best man. It means a lot to me."
The two young men looked out at the crowd that had gathered for the marriage of president Yu Yevon's daughter to the son of a 'nobody' who would soon become known as Lord Zaon. Shuyin felt his stomach contract with nervous energy for his friend. The boy he had grown up with was about to become a lord. He was about to take vows and promise himself to one woman forever. Shuyin pushed a shudder away and whispered, "How can you be so calm?!?"
"Believe me, I'm not." Zaon confessed with a little laugh as he and Shuyin walked toward the altar and took their places to begin the ceremony. Although the blitzball player's hair was still a bit damp from his early morning practice with the team, he had arrived on time and ready just as he had promised. Zaon had wanted to tell Yunalesca, but the women were 'off limits' to the groom and his best man until after the ceremony.
It was bad luck to see them before the wedding.
The giant wooden doors slid open and the pianist began to play. Everyone's attention focused on the back of the room. Zaon let out an unconscious shudder and he felt Shuyin put a hand on his shoulder, "It's going to be okay." His friend whispered.
Zaon looked at him and smiled, "You think so?"
"I know so." Agreed Shuyin, "You and Yuna are meant to be."
Zaon grinned and whispered, "You haven't met her Maid of Honor yet. I think you'll like her."
"Stop!" hissed Shuyin, "I'm not interested in getting set up!" he smiled and playfully punched Zaon as the a 6 year old girl – the distant relative of someone…Shuyin hadn't paid attention who – began to walk down the aisle, dropping flowers as she went.
Zaon winked, "You might change your mind when you see who it is."
Shuyin was about to ask his friend to elaborate when the woman behind the little girl caught his attention. Wearing a dark blue strapless gown that just barely touched the ground, the woman's hair was hanging long with just a tiny bit pulled up and held in place with a barette that was decorated with flowers.
The woman continued her way down the aisle toward them. She smiled at Zaon and whispered, "Good luck." before turning to stand on the bridal side of the altar.
Shuyin punched Zaon hard in the side and whispered, "Lenne! Lady Lenne is her Maid of Honor?" Shuyin tried to regain control of his breathing. Lady Lenne was a famous summoner and songstress who just happened to be his all time favorite celebrity. Well, she was the favorite celebrity of just about all the Abes who spoke of how much they wished she'd pose nude for some magazine so that they'd have a nice picture for their lockers.
Rubbing his sore side, Zaon winked again, "I knew you'd like her." At Shuyin's glare he smiled, "Don't worry, Lennie has no idea that you are her biggest fan and have all of her spheres."
The sound of the 'Wedding March' playing prevented Shuyin from responding as the entire audience turned to look at Yunalesca. The moment was finally here, and Zaon was visibly nervous.
Yunalesca was wearing a long white dress with tiny diamond spaghetti straps. Her long, pale blond hair had been curled and pulled on top of her head, allowing only a few tresses to frame her face. Her veil lay gently over her head. Zaon gripped Shuyin's wrist and whispered, "She looks like an angel, doesn't she?"
Yunalesca began to slowly walk towards Zaon with her arm linked through her father's. Yu looked as though his face would fall off if he didn't stop smiling soon. As they reached their destination, he gently patted his daughter's hand and then gave it to Zaon who accepted it willingly. He smiled at his soon to be son-in-law, "Take good care of my baby girl, you hear."
"I will." was his reply. The couple turned to face the minister and Shuyin gave his friends a smile as the minister began.
"Dearly Beloved, We are-"
Shuyin's mind – and eyes – wandered to the beautiful songstress, Lenne, that was standing no more than a yard from him. Zaon wasn't joking when he said that Shuyin was her biggest fan. He was always first in line to buy her new spheres and hadn't missed a single concert – even though it usually meant driving to C-South which was almost two hours from A-East. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he'd ever be this close to her.
Why hadn't Yunalesca told him that he knew her?
"Zaon" the priest said. "Repeat after me"
Shuyin snapped back to reality when he realized his tiny part in this ceremony was upon him. He handed Zaon the tiny band of gold that he held in his hand and watched as his best friend promised himself to Yunalesca forever. It made him almost wish for that himself.
Almost.
"You may now kiss your bride." Zaon leaned in and sealed the marriage with a long and passionate kiss.
Shuyin waited until the two pulled apart before he grabbed Zaon and gave him a huge hug. Zaon squeezed him back and Shuyin said, "Congratulations, Zaon."
"Thanks." Zaon released his friend and grabbed his wife's hand, kissing it gently. He smiled at Shuyin and then shouted to everyone in the room, "Let's party!!"
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Shuyin had never felt this stupid around a girl before in his life. He couldn't force his legs to move and approach the beauty that was standing next to Yunalesca, drinking punch, and laughing.
Shuyin prided himself on being confident – especially around the fairer sex - but for some reason the sight of Lenne was making his stomach do cartwheels and the thought of food made him nauseous.
The touch of a hand on his shoulder caused the blitzball star to jump. He turned and faced Zaon who was trying to stifle laughter that seemed to want to flow from his mouth. After calming his mirth, Zaon asked, "Do you want me to introduce you to her or would you rather stand there in helpless lust for the duration of the reception?"
"I'm not …" the look on Zaon's face made Shuyin stop and glance downward, embarrassed, before saying, "I'd like to meet her."
Following behind his friend, Shuyin took a few tentative steps toward, quite possibly, the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She and Yunalesca looked at the two men approaching them and Shuyin thought his heart stopped beating when she looked at him and smiled, "You must be Shuyin."
Shuyin swallowed hard and opened his mouth a few times, but no words formed. He felt like a fish out of water and impulsively brushed his hand through his hair and just smiled stupidly.
He felt like a complete ass.
Lenne laughed and looked uncomfortably at Yunalesca and Zaon before saying to Shuyin, "And you're just so talkative too."
Shuyin felt what seemed to be a blush forming at the mere thought that this beautiful creature thought he was … anything but handsome, charming, and wonderful. He calmed his brain and forced himself to speak, "Yes, I'm Shuyin. Nice to meet you, Lenne."
Laughing, Lenne shook his hand and said, "It can speak!"
Shuyin was about to open his mouth with a witty reply when he heard a shrill cry from behind him and his body tensed. He knew that voice, but from where?
"Shuyin!"
He turned around and froze. It was the girl in blue and her friend in pink – still dressed in their trademark colors. He hadn't seen them since that night a month ago. Actually, he'd been avoiding them to the best of his abilities. They were good for one night, but the thought of having to deal with them for any more than that sent chills up his spine. He silently cursed Yunalesca for following through on her dream of inviting all of Zanarkand to the reception.
It was just his luck that these girls would show up!
"Long time, no see, Shuyin." The girl in blue said.
"Whatcha been up to?" asked the girl in pink.
Damnit! What were their names? he silently searched his mind for their names. There were so many women in his past that he had a hard time keeping any of them straight which was why he had made it a habit of avoiding them when he could.
"You do remember our names, don't you?" the girl in blue asked.
They started with L's.
The moment of truth was upon Shuyin. He could feel three sets of eyes boring holes into the back of his head and he took a chance, "Sure I do, Lucy and Laurie…" when he heard Zaon groan slightly and saw the crestfallen looks on the girls faces, he knew he'd chosen incorrectly.
Pinky glared at him, "Shows how much you really cared."
"Yeah!" blue girl hissed, throwing her drink in his face and storming off with her friend.
Shuyin stood there for a moment. Wine was dripping from his face and landing on his tuxedo. He didn't want to turn around and have to face Yunalesca or Lenne. He knew Yunalesca had probably told Lenne all sorts of horrible things about him and this episode had just proven that everything she had probably said was true.
Yunalesca was not his fan.
Instead of turning to face them, he decided to make a hasty retreat. Dawn would be breaking soon and he knew exactly where he wanted to be and it certainly wasn't there.
His favorite place in all of Zanarkand was just around the corner from the reception hall. He loved living in A-East where the sea was so close. He walked out onto the pier and gazed up at the sky. As the sun started creeping over the horizon, he heard footsteps behind him and turned.
"You don't strike me as the type that would like a sunset."
Shuyin's eyes locked with Lenne and for a moment he forgot that he had come out to see the sunrise. Her smile disarmed him and he had to shrug off his sudden urge to run away from her. She was being so nice to him and he didn't know why. She really had no reason to be nice.
Relaxing his over active mind, Shuyin motioned toward the sunset. "I love this sunrise, but you missed the best part."
"What's the best part?"
Shuyin grinned at the girl behind him, "The beginning." He motioned toward the sky and said, "The city lights go out one by one. The stars fade, then the horizon glows, almost like it's on fire." He waved his hands as if painting the picture before her eyes, "It's kinda rose-colored, right? First in the sea, then it spreads to the sky, then to the whole city. It gets brighter and brighter, till everything glows. It's really…pretty
Lenne smiled and took a place next to him on the pier and gazed at the horizon, "It is beautiful." She conceded, "You can't see it so well in C-South. The smog tends to hide the skyline."
"That's exactly why I'd never want to live there." He said, "In A-East you can take a deep breath and not worry about what organisms you just enhaled."
Lenne's laughter seemed to give Shuyin his confidence back and he let himself take in her beauty. Her brown eyes sparkled when she laughed and he noticed that she had a slight dimple in her left cheek. When her laughter stopped, she looked at him with seriousness in her eyes, "I think what you did to those girls was really rotten." She said suddenly.
"You don't know me at all." He said, scooping to lift a rock from the pier and skip it across the water, "Neither does Yunalesca." He looked at her, "You shouldn't always believe everything she says."
"Why not? She's my best friend."
Shuyin shook his head, "She just sees what's on the outside. Yuna doesn't take time to look on the inside of people and know the person. She doesn't care that there is a beating heart inside. She doesn't care about the reasons that someone does what he does. She just sees what's on the outside."
"So you're telling me," asked Lenne, "that you sleep with girls and forget their names but it's for a good reason?" she shook her head and rolled her brown eyes, "Sorry, but I just can't buy that."
"You don't know me at all. Don't pretend that you do just because Yunalesca told you her opinions of me."
Lenne nodded, "You're right, I don't know you. I don't know you at all, but I came out here to try to." At his questioning gaze, she smiled, "Tell me about yourself."
"What do you want to know?" came the blitzer's response.
"Well," Lenne motioned to the sunset, "For starters, why do you like this sunrise so much?"
There were so many reasons why Shuyin loved this sunrise. It was quiet and peaceful; it made him feel like any and all of his problems were pointless in the grand scheme of things; it made him realize that there was a much bigger world out there besides Zanarkand; it made him want to be a better person.
All those reasons flashed through his head before he settled on the main reason he loved this place. He allowed himself a sad smile and said, "My father and I used to come here every morning before he would give me another lesson in blitzball. We'd skip rocks and discuss my plans for the day or school. Whatever I wanted to talk about. Mom would be in the house making pancakes and we'd sit out here in the quiet until she'd call us for breakfast." He smiled at the memory and skipped a rock across the water, "Dad wanted me to be everything that I could be and to experience life from every angle. He told me that the most important thing in the world was to fall in love. He said that a life without love wasn't a life worth living. He wanted me to fall in love – so deeply that I couldn't get myself out of it."
"Shuyin…"
The blond looked at the sunrise and sighed, "I don't want that, though. Falling in love means opening yourself up for hurt and pain. I know what it feels like to lose people you love. My parents were my only family and they were taken from me. The mere thought of giving my heart to someone and then losing them…"
"Yunalesca told me what happened to your parents." Whispered Lenne, "I'm really sorry."
Shuyin shrugged and immediately forced his walls back into place, "Well, shit happens and there isn't anything anyone can do to change it."
"But that doesn't mean that you have to shrug it off like it doesn't bother you."
Shuyin turned to her and squinted against the growing light, crossing his arms over his chest, "I don't need a lecture on how to deal with the death of my parents – especially from someone who doesn't know them and barely knows me."
Lenne's tender touch on his shoulder made him feel his defenses crumbling a little and he dropped his arms, "I know that." She whispered, "I just feel like maybe if you talked about it instead of trying to act tough all the time that it might help."
"How do you know I act tough?"
Lenne laughed, "Well, Yuna calls it conceit and arrogance, but after she told me about your parents I realized that, chances are, it was just an act. Am I wrong?"
It was Shuyin's turn to laugh and he turned back to the skyline, "Well, I do think that I'm devilishly handsome."
"There's no law against stating the obvious." Lenne said in a whispered voice. Shuyin wasn't sure if he'd heard her correctly and turned to her with a questioning gaze but before he could ask the question he heard Yunalesca calling her from the reception hall, "Be right there, Yuna!" the brunette looked at her blond companion and smiled, "It was nice talking to you…Shuyin." She said as she walked away from him.
Her retreating form greeted his line of vision and Shuyin's stomach did another flip.
There was something about that girl…
He smiled to himself as he watched her walk back into the reception with Yunalesca, "Nice talking to you too…Lenne."
